Adjustable candle holder

ABSTRACT

THIS INVENTION COVERS AN ADJUSTABLE CANDLE HOLDER WHICH INCLUDES SUPPORTING MEANS HAVING HOLDING MEANS EXTENDING FROM ONE END THEREOF AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A CANDLE OF VARYING DIAMETERS WITH MOUNTING MEANS COUPLING THE HOLDING MEANS TO THE SUPPORTING MEANS FOR VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT THEREBETWEEN SO THAT THE THE EXPOSED LENGTH OF THE CANDLE BEYOND THE SUPPORTING MEANS MAY BE ADJUSTED AND RETAINED IN A SELECTED POSITION BY LOCKING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SUPPORTING MEANS AND MOUNTING MEANS.

Jan. 19, 1971- K. GRASZNICK ADJUSTABLE CANDLE HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG./

Filed April 15, 1969 IN VI'IN'I'OR. KATE GRASZNICK ATTORNEY Filed April 15, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. KATE GRASZN'CK AT TORNEY United States Patent O 3,556,704 ADJUSTABLE CANDLE HOLDER Kate Grasznick, 1 Addison St., Larchmont, NY. 10538 Filed Apr. 15, 1969, Ser. No. 816,213 Int. Cl. F21v 35/00 U.S. Cl. 431-290 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention covers an adjustable candle holder which includes supporting means having holding means extending from one end thereof and adapted to receive a candle of varying diameters with mounting means coupling the holding means to the supporting means for vertical adjustment therebetween so that the the exposed length of the candle beyond the supporting means may be adjusted and retained in a selected position by locking means associated with said supporting means and mounting means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in candle holders in general, and more particularly to a new and improved adjustable candle holder adapted to retain candles of various diameters in fixed position and select the amount of their exposed length.

In the use of candle holders the problem has been encountered that the candle holders are generally adapted to contain candles of a fixed diameter, which diameter is not generally known to the purchaser when purchasing candles and which results, if the candles do not fit in having to return same to the store or shaving the base of the candle to fit the candle holder. This customizing of the candle is not only time consuming but the reduced area makes it unsafe since a secure attachment is not always obtainable. This obviously presents a fire hazard when the candles are in use. In addition the shaved area is often visible and unsightly.

Present candle holders do not generally permit any adjustability of total exposed length, which is often desirable for certain table settings, such as formal tables, etc. The height of a newly purchased candle might be too high and yet for a candle having previously been used too low.

Present candle holders as constructed retain the candle in a fixed position in such a manner that the melted wax accumulates thereon and is visible, which accumulation is often unsightly and mars the beauty of the total effect of the candle holder and is difficult to remove. In addition, if there is no lip on the candle holder to capture the melted wax or if the lip becomes too filled with melted wax, a splattering of the wax onto the tablecloth and surrounding items often occurs resulting in damage to the property.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a candle holder which may accommodate candles of various cross-sectional areas or diameters.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a candle holder in which the exposed length of the candle beyond the candle holder may be adjusted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a candle holder having a well extending around the base of the candle to receive the melted wax of the candle as it is used.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly the invention includes supporting means, of various lengths and configurations, adapted to be placed "'ice on a table or other surface having holding means including a plurality of flexible fingers adapted to firmly grip candles of various diameters with mounting means coupling the holding means to the supporting means and adapted to provide vertical selective adjustment of the holding means to vary the exposed length of the candle beyond the supporting means. Locking means is provided to fix the extendable holding means in a fixed position which may be varied as the candle progressively decreases in length as it burns. To catch the melted wax well means is provided and may have disposable collecting means in the form of a receptacle positioned therein, which is discarded after it is filled with melted wax. Insulating means is provided to retain the supporting means near the base of the candle at substantially room temperature at all times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be made and used, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1, is a top plan view of the adjustable candle holder of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the adjustable candle holder as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4, is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing the candle holder in one of its adjusted positions, and

FIG. 5, is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 2.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings in detail and initially FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, we have a candle holder generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 for holding a candle 11 which includes supporting means 12 consisting of a fiat base member 14 having at its bottom portion an insulated layer 16 which may be made of a foam plastic material such as polystyrene so as not to mar the surface of what it is placed on and more importantly prevent the transmission of any heat to the support surface. A vertically extending support member 18 extends from the base member 14 and might have various configurations for artistic purposes, and at its upper end having a neck portion 20 terminating in a support head 22 having an annular seat 24 for retaining in place a vertically extending tubular wall portion 26 defining a chamber 28.

Holding means 30 is provided and adapted to receive the candle 11 therein, of varying cross-sectional area, and may include a plurality of fingers 32 axially spaced apart from each other as seen in FIG. 1, each having an inwardly extending body portion 34 integrally formed with an outwardly extending body portion 36 at a juncture portion 38 which as seen in FIG. 3, snugly engages the outside diameter of the candle 11 such that it is firmly retained in place. A bottom flange 40 is integrally formed with the inwardly and upwardly extending body portion 34 and extends between a cap member 42 and mounting member 44, of mounting means 45, secured together by a threaded fastener '46 having a tapered pointed portion 48 extending from one end thereof and adapted to extend into the candle 11 to assist in centering same on the holding means 30 where it is retained in place. The holding means 30 due to the spring-like nature of the respective fingers 32 is adapted to retain candles 11 of various diameters such that the individual with ease can insert candles of various size ranges and the fingers 32 due to their. shape are self centering and immediately flexed outwardly with the force being applied by the user as he inserts the candle 11 in the holding means 30.

As seen the supporting means 12' includes a vertically extending support member 18 secured at one end to a base portion 14 and having an axially extending chamber 2 8 at its opposite end which is adapted to contain therein the holding means 30, with related mounting means 45 and locking means 50 as hereafter discussed so that the vertical height or extent of exposure of the candle 11 may be conveniently selected by the user and which holding means is adapted to retain candles of Varying diameter therein.

The mounting means is vertically extendable and acts in coupling the holding means 30 to the supporting means 12 for axial adjustment therebetween so that the relative length of the candle 11 beyond the supporting means 12 may be adjusted. The mounting means 45 includes the mounting member 44 which is adapted to extend within the chamber 28 formed by the Wall portion 26 so that it may be moved axially therein. The outer diameter 52 of the mounting member 4 4 is adapted to be slidably engaged in the chamber and as seen in particular in respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, each may be of circular cross-sectional area and adapted for relative movement in the direction of double headed arrow 54.

So that the holding means 30 may be adjusted in respective vertical positions the locking means is provided and may include a pair of gripping members 56 as seen particularly in FIG. 5, and include an enlarged head portion 5 8 integrally formed with a cylindrical portion 60 and terminating in a threaded portion 62 which is received in a threaded hole in the mounting member 44. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 the intermediary cylindrical portion 60 slides in a verticallly extending groove 64- through the wall portion 2 6 so that vertical height of the holding means 30 in the direction of arrow 54 may be controlled. The gripping members 56 are engaged by the user and by applying an upwardly or downwardly static force the depressable member or detent 66 which extends in a horizontally extending sidebore 68 into the mounting member 44 is depressed in that the spring 70 spaced within the bore 68 is compressed when the rounded head of the detent 66 is forced out of an aperture 72, which apertures are vertically spaced along the wall portion 26 of the supporting means 12. The aperture 72 may extend through the entire width of the sidewall 26 or may extend only through the inner wall or shell 74 and not through the outer wall or shell 76 so that it is not visible by the user.

Although other forms of locking means may be utilized the illustrated one has been found most advantageous for the construction illustrated.

The chamber 28 is formed by the wall portion 26 and futrher includes a tubular extension member 78 which is removably secured as seen in FIG. 4 from the upper edge of the wall portion 26 so as to permit greater versatility in the amount of exposed candle 11 as seen extending from above the supporting means 12. As seen in FIG. 3, a candle 11 is at its lower position with a certain length extending above the supporting means 12. In contrast, in FIG. 4, We have the candle 11 extending at its uppermost position and with the extension member 78 still in place although the actual length Of the candle 11 has been substantially lessened, the exposed area remains substantially the same. This permits one to retain a consistency even though essentially a stub is left so that the overall exposed height is retained.

Since the continuance of the accumulated melted wax 80 can be bothersome in that it mars the beauty of the candle holder 10 and becomes difficult to remove there- I from applicant has provided well means 82 in which the melted wax 80 can continue to accumulate and not be visible. The well means 82fmay be co-extensive with the chamber 2 8 and be formed between the supporting means 12 and holding means 30 so that the melted wax 84 is deposited therein when 'the candle 11 is burning. As seen in FIG. 4, the Well means 82 may be extended above the sidewall 26, having an outwardly curved wall portion 84 and outwardly annular extending rim 86 to retain the wax particles in case of an overflow when the extension member 78 is not used.

To assist the user in cleaning out the Well means 82 it has been found desirable to include removable collecting means 88 contained within the well 82 for facilitating the removal of the wax material 80 therefrom. The collecting means 88 may be in the form of a disposable plastic or paper container 90 or even metallic like tin foil since it would be non-burning and have a bottom wall 92 having an opening to receive the cap member 42 and a vertically extending sidewall 94 conforming to the dimensions of the Well means 82 or chamber 28 such that when the candle 11 is finally removed from the holding means 30 and the extension member 78 is disengaged the collecting means 88 will be freely accessible to and removed. If it remains contained within the extension member 78 it can easily be forced out therefrom or if it remains seated as seen in FIG. 4, it is just removed and disposed of by the user. This assists in maintaining the candle holder 10 free of unsightly wax deposits which are often diificult to remove and can be troublesome to the user.

So that proper exposure is given, the axial length of the chamber 28 is preferably at least equal to the length of the fingers 32 of the holding means 30, but may be at least twice as long to permit the exposed length of the candle 11 to remain the same over a given distance. Obviously, depending upon the various diameters that are used the length of the chamber 28 may be adjusted accordingly by the manufacturer of the candle holder 10'.

The sidewall 26 of the supporting means 12 includes the inner shell 74 and outer shell 76 axially spaced from each other with insulating means 92 formed therebetween to prevent the transfer to the exterior thereof of heat, so that when engaged by the fingers of the user he does not feel uncomfortable due to heat. The insulating means may take the form of a foam platsic material 94 contained between the inner and outer Walls 74 and 76 respectfully, such as foam polystyrene which is sufficient to prevent the transmission of heat to the exterior sidewall so that it remains at substantially room temperature for comfortable use.

The various component parts of the candle holder 10 may be made of metallic or plastic materials, or even paper for the collecting means.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawing, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A candle holder comprising:

(A) supporting means including a vertically extending support member'secured at one end to a base portion and having an axially extending chamber at its opposite end,

(B) holding means adapted to receive a candle of varying cross-sectional area, said holding means is adapted to extend within said chamber and includes a plurality of vertically extending flexible fingers secured together at one end thereof for engaging and retaining candles of various cross-sectional areas therebetween,

(C) mounting means coupling said holding means to said supoprting means and mounted for vertical adjustment of said holding means so that the relative length of the candle extending beyond said supporting means may be selectively adjusted, said mounting means includes a support member having said flexible fingers secured thereto for vertical movement within said chamber, and

(D) locking means associated with said mounting means for releasably retaining said mounting means in its selectively adjusted position, said locking means includes a depressible member mounted in said support member and adapted to be seated in an open ing extending within a wall of the supporting means, and gripping members extending exteriorally of the supporting means from said support member for vertical adjustment of the mounting means by the user.

2. A candle holder as defined in claim 1, wherein the axial length of said chamber is equal to at least the length of said flexible fingers to permit the exposed length of the candle to remain the same over a selected length.

3. A candle holder as defined in claim 2, wherein said supporting means includes a tubular wall portion having at its upper end a removable extension member.

4. A candle as defined in claim 3, and further including insulating means formed on said supporting means to prevent the transfer of heat from the candle to the user, said insulating means being of a foam plastic material and forming a portion of said tubular wall portion.

5. A candle holder as defined in claim 4, wherein said supporting means includes a base having a foam plastic portion.

6. A candle holder as defined in claim 1, and further including well means associated with said supporting means so that the melted wax of the candle is deposited therein when the candle is burning.

7. A candle holder as defined in claim 1, and further including removable collecting means contained within said well means for facilitating the removal of the melted wax from said well means.

8. A candle holder, comprising:

(A) supporting means including a base portion at one end thereof and vertically extending wall portion at its opposite end defining a chamber,

(B) holding means adapted to extend within said chamber and including a plurality of vertically extending flexible fingers secured together at one end thereof, for engaging and retaining candles of varying cross-sectional area therebetween,

(C) mounting means including a support member secured to said flexible fingers for coupling said holding means to said supporting means and mounted for vertical adjustment of said holding means so that the relative length of the candle extending beyond said supporting means may be selectively adjusted,

(D) locking means associated with said mounting means for releasably retaining said mounting means in its selectively adjusted position, said locking means including a depressible member mounted in said support member and adapted to be seated in an opening extending within the wall portion of the supporting means, and gripping means extending exteriorally of the supporting means from said support member for vertical adjustment of the mounting means by the user, and

(E) well means associated with said supporting means so that the melted wax of the candle is deposited therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 978,848 12/ 1 869 Fahn 43 l290 1,296,682 3/ 1919 Masiliunas 431-290 FOREIGN PATENTS 193,330 12/1907 Germany 431296 20,044 1892 Great Britain 431-290 0 EDWARD G. FAVORS, Primary Examiner 4 

